Best Christmas gifts for girls

There'll be wrapping paper everywhere on Christmas Day as children across the world rip open gift after gift. But among the books, new clothes and latest gadgets, which present will they treasure the most? How can you pick something that will stand out from the crowd and won't disappear under the bed?

Girls aged 4-7

The Queen’s Handbag

A charming and witty tale about a naughty swan who steals the Queen's handbag. Naturally, the Queen races after it chasing the bird all around the United Kingdom in various modes of transport, taking in sights such as Stonehenge, Snowdonia, Giants Causeway, Edinburgh Castle, Oxford and then arriving back in London. As you can see from the cover, the chase includes a lot of policemen. Ideal for four to five year-olds.

Sgt. Pepper's Drum Bean Bag

Youngsters can flop in front of the TV on this trendy Beatles bean bag designed like a drum. A cool addition to any lounge or bedroom and likely to be used by all the family and probably the dog too. Thankfully it's machine washable.

OMY Giant Colouring Roll XXL

Children will be entertained for hours with this mega colouring in challenge. It's perfect for the school holidays, rainy days as well as children's birthday parties. Dotted cut lines mean you can crop down each section and keep them somewhere special like on the fridge or even get them framed. Comes in city designs and felt tip pens, coloured pencils or crayons can be use

Hape Happy Grand Piano-Black

If your daughter is showing interest in playing the piano, but you're not sure whether to fork out for the real thing, this might be the answer. Made from hardwood, the 30 keys have a beautiful sound, and it even comes with a stool. Perfect for a bit of musical fun and it won't take up too much space.

Tea Rose Tutu

​Swish, swish! Girly girls will love this fabulous tutu skirt made from super-soft nylon chiffon. It can be dressed up with a pair of sparkly party shoes on Christmas Day, birthday parties or worn casually with a t-shirt and trainers. Available in lots of sizes and colours.

Pirate Shack Playhouse

​Go on a swashbuckling adventure me hearties! Raise the anchor and step inside this pirate-themed playhouse, embroidered with a compass, friendly parrot and a treasure chest. It's easy to assemble, comes with a storage bag and is available in two sizes.

Gruffalo Garden Tool Bag (with Tools)

Spring might seem a way off, but this is a great value garden set for little green fingers and Gruffalo fans. It contains a watering can, a painted steel trowel, fork and rake. Everything is stored in a charming tool bag embroidered with the much-loved Gruffalo designs.

Doodle Nest Kids Art Book​

​If you're overwhelmed by your children's school artwork and you've run out of space on the fridge, why not consider collecting up their best pieces to display in a coffee-table book that will keep forever. ​Even Jools Oliver is a fan. It might seem like more of a gift for you, but they'll love looking at it now and for years to come.

Princess Skipping Rope

Kids’ pink flamingo cotton tights

Getting dressed will be a lot more fun if you get to wear tights like these. This company does lots of fun designs, including some lovely blue whale-print ones too. Perfect for winter and they go with almost anything.

Girls aged 8 - 12

YXSH portable 150 piece art chest

This great value set has everything budding artists need to get creative, including oil, watercolour and acrylic paints. Pastels, sketching and colouring pencils are also included, as well as a pad, two canvas boards, three palette knives and lots more. It also adapts to make a handy portable easel. Perfect for children nearer the age of 12.

Unicorn snot, face & body glitter gel

You might not fancy smearing something called "snot" all over your face, but young unicorn fans will. These fun pots come in pink, blue, yellow and silver - apparently the colour of the snot from the unicorns depends on their mood. Don't worry, it washes off easily and is translucent in colour once applied.

Delaney sparkle youths

Perhaps not for school, but these boots are perfect for the little rebel in your life at the weekends and during the holidays. They've been stylish since the 1960s so you can't be accused of being behind the times. (In fact you've probably got a pair yourself somewhere - just don't show her).

12" marquee light - S

Great for personalising her bedroom and making a statement, these battery-powered carnival lights give off a soft, warm light. If left on, they will also switch off after six hours which will save you a fortune in batteries.

Military jacket

With it's gold buttons and contrast piping, this military-inspired design is seriously smart. The best news is that it's 100 per cent cotton and machine washable, so no need to worry about spills and mud. It comes in a range of sizes from five-year-olds up to the age of 16.

Buzz jacket

This innovative coat is snuggly for winter and effortlessly chic. It comes in a range of sizes and is created by London-based designer Ana Konder, who is known for her innovative fur accessories. Perfect for stylish little princesses.

Clownfish mermaid tail (limited edition)

Perfect for next summer, everyone can be Ariel with this pull-on mermaid tail. Made from the same material as swimming costumes, it's soft, comfortable and even has a fish tail texture. It's open at the bottom for safety and flexibility in the pool.

Gourmet gadgetry candyfloss maker

This nifty candyfloss maker will bring all the fun of the fair to your kitchen (and probably a bit of mess). It creates candyfloss in minutes using just a teaspoon of sugar and some heat. Perfect for sleepovers and children's parties. Just make sure they do the washing up.

Cosmopolitan no kink hair ties

Inspired by the drink that Carrie made famous in Sex and the City, these 'Cosmopolitan' glitter and foil hair ties ooze glitz and glam. They don't leave kinks in hair and can also be used as pretty wrist bands. Perfect for the new school term.

Nest Hanging mirrored metallic balloon lights

Your little girl's bedroom will be the envy of all of her friends with these balloons filled with sparkling fairy lights. At night when they're turned on they have a warm atmospheric glow and reflect colours around them, whilst also projecting the mirrored effect pattern onto the nearest wall. Comes with batteries, but you'll need a ceiling hook or two. They come in gold, copper and silver and are sold separately.

Crystal growing

Young scientists will love growing, moulding and crafting their own dazzling crystals with this DIY science kit. They can even display them in a clear treasure chest with a locking lid when they're done. Educational fun at its best.

Gracie floral flannel pyjamas

These vintage-inspired Gracie print pijamas are perfect for little girls to snuggle up in over winter. Made of soft cotton-jersey material and covered in blooming florals, they're available in several sizes from 6 - 12 years.

Vtech Kidi Super Star Mic

You won't have a quiet Christmas, but this Super Star Mic is ideal for young X-Factor fans eager to take centre stage. It features rhythm games, tongue twisters and it can even change the sound of your voice with the built in microphone effect. You've been warned.

Wallflower Mini Bluetooth Retro Radio ​

Perfect for dancing round the bedroom to Ed Sheeran, this retro mini digital radio is now available in eight of Emma Bridgewater’s signature prints, including this pretty Wallflower print. It's got a Bluetooth function allowing wireless connectivity to stream from smart devices.

3Doodler Start

A 3D printing pen allowing children from the age of eight to draw pictures in the air. If that sounds as baffling to you as it does to us, then that's probably part of the appeal. Great for tech-savvy artists. There's no glue or ink involved, and it can be charged up and used wirelessly, so she can even doodle on the move.

Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect

Over 100 of Mary Berry’s foolproof recipes for budding young cooks and Bake Off fans finding their feet in the kitchen. This latest step-by-step book contains lots of new recipes as well as tricks on getting the basics right - like how to get crackling crispy, and tips on making cakes that are light and fluffy. It even comes with a tote bag for ingredients. Ideal for honing life-long cooking skills.